Gupshup launches bot builder platform

BENGALURU: Messaging platformGupshup has launched its bot builder platform called gupshup.io. Gupshup.io consists of omnichannel messaging rules and protocols, called APIs, and bot builder tools. The omni-channel APIs enable connectivity to almost every messaging channel including SMS, Facebook Messenger, Slack and Telegram. Bots are software applications that run automated tasks, like ordering a pizza. One could directly ‘talk’ to a bot, through a messaging interface like Facebook messenger and order, without having to call the pizza place.

“Bots are the new apps. Bots will transform virtually every aspect of our lives, making it simpler and easier to engage with businesses and brands just by chatting with them,” said Beerud Sheth, CEO of Gupshup. “Every business and brand will have to develop a bot strategy quickly.”

Gupshup has automated common tasks that are performed by every bot developer.

The platform enables a developer to build, test and deploy a bot across multiple channels. The bot is automatically hosted with a oneclick deploy process. Post-launch monitoring and tracking of bots has also been automated.

An omni-channel bot store enables the search and discovery of bots, helping developers to promote their bots. Gupshup plans to promote the bot platform through meetups and hackathons. The startup will set up a tutorial for users who are not professional developers, so as to handhold them in the bot building process. Gupshup’s messaging platform is used by companies like FlipKart, Ola, Facebook, Twitter, ICICI and HDFC.